Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the groundbreaking of the Chak Angre Krom-Prek Pra Bridge in Phnom Penh this morning, with Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian in attendance.

The bridge is expected to make a significant contribution to reducing the rapidly growing capital’s traffic congestion issues, and future-proof the city’s infrastructure for predicted population growth.

The 845m four-lane bridge is estimated to cost just over $60 million and take 42 months to complete.

It will connect Meanchey district’s Chak Angre Krom commune with Chbar Ampov district’s Prek Pra commune, across the Bassac River.

Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea said this project would be completed by 2027, at a cost of around $60.2 million. The project is funded by a concessional loan from China, with some funds contributed by the Cambodian government.

“The Chak Angre Krom-Prek Pra Bridge and its approach roads will be a remarkable gift from the seventh-mandate government, and will remain in use long into the future,” he added.

He explained that the bridge and its connecting roads will be integrated with existing transport infrastructure, in response to current national growth and progress. 

Manet told the assembled dignitaries that the bridge will not just be for Phnom Penh residents, as it will allow people from across the country to cross from east to west safely and easily.

“The policy of building roads and bridges is the second of the six priority programmes introduced by the new government. The expansion of roads, bridges and other transport infrastructure will foster the growth of factories and other businesses in the capital and provinces, providing job opportunities for people across the Kingdom,” he said.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to infrastructure development in Cambodia. 

“The stronger roads are, the firmer hope is. The more roads there are, the more hope there is. Roads are like economic arteries. Where there are roads, the Kingdom’s economic organs are supported. They improve traffic flow, reduce spending and open opportunities for more and more people to be able to do business,” he said.

He added that Cambodia is now home to 19 major bridges over its waterways, with three more under construction and an additional three being studied.

Ambassador Wentian explained at the ceremony that the bridge will serve as an integral part of road network plans in southern Phnom Penh, as well as becoming an important gateway from west to east of the Bassac River.

He expects that it will play a major role in facilitating development in southern Phnom Penh, neighbouring Takhmao town in Kandal province, and the new international airport spanning parts of Kandal and Takeo provinces, just outside the capital. 

“China and Cambodia are ironclad friends. Over the years, under the strategic leadership of the two governments, the China-Cambodia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation has achieved high-quality and sustainable development,” he said. 

This year marks the first year for building a China-Cambodia community of common destiny in a new era, he added, noting that it will also be a year of people-to-people exchanges.

“The Chinese side is pleased to collaborate with the Cambodian side, and we continue to expand the meaning of our ‘diamond’ collaboration with six priority sectors. These sectors encourage us to accomplish more practical collaboration.

“We intend to continue to invest in Cambodia’s infrastructure sector, which will pave the way for more development. By building more friendship bridges for the next generations, we will write a new chapter in the China-Cambodia friendship,” he continued.